Railroad maintenance, repair, and support services for federal rail programs. Find active federal and state support activities for rail transportation contracts — AI-scored against your profile across SAM.gov and 200+ portals.
Annual federal spending under NAICS 488210 is estimated at $2-3 billion, driven primarily by Amtrak's Northeast Corridor upgrades, FRA safety and research contracts, and DoD rail operations at military installations. Competition is moderate, with a mix of large rail contractors (e.g., Wabtec, Alstom) and specialized small businesses. Contracts are typically awarded as indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicles or firm-fixed-price task orders, with some cost-reimbursement for R&D. Demand is fueled by aging rail infrastructure, regulatory compliance mandates, and increasing intermodal freight security requirements.
These agencies are the largest buyers of support activities for rail transportation services and products in the federal government. Each awards contracts under NAICS 488210 regularly — build relationships with their small business offices first.
To win under 488210, target Amtrak's small business subcontracting plans and FRA's 8(a) set-asides for track inspection and signal maintenance. The highest-leverage move is to obtain a Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) waiver or safety certification relevant to the specific work (e.g., track welding, bridge inspection). Most awards are best-value tradeoff with heavy emphasis on past performance on similar federal rail projects. Partner with a prime that holds an existing IDIQ (e.g., Amtrak's National Facilities & Construction contract) to gain experience.
Work is predominantly awarded via best-value tradeoff, with LPTA used for standardized maintenance. Common vehicles include GSA Schedule 48, 8(a) STARS III for IT-related rail systems, and agency-specific IDIQs (e.g., Amtrak's National Facilities & Construction IDIQ, FRA's Broad Agency Announcements). Evaluation emphasizes past performance, technical approach, and safety compliance.
Yes, for safety-critical work like track inspection or signal maintenance, you must comply with FRA regulations (49 CFR Parts 209-244) and often need FRA-qualified personnel. Some contracts require a current FRA waiver or a safety case approved by the FRA.
Amtrak task orders under this NAICS range from $500,000 for minor maintenance to $50 million for major infrastructure upgrades. The average award is around $5-10 million for a 3-5 year period.
Yes, DoD often sets aside rail maintenance contracts for small businesses, especially at Army depots and Navy bases. Look for 8(a) and SDVOSB set-asides via the Army Corps of Engineers and NAVFAC.
For contracts over $150,000, Miller Act bonds (performance and payment) are required. Some task orders may require additional railroad protective liability insurance. Ensure your surety line can support $10-20 million aggregate.
GSA Schedule 48 includes rail support services, but most federal rail work is bought via agency-specific IDIQs (e.g., Amtrak's National Facilities & Construction, FRA's Small Business Innovative Research). GSA is more common for smaller, non-complex task orders.